Chapter 17: "A Lone Star's Dilemma"

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Chapter 17

"..."

The head coach of Argentinos Juniors U-20 was at a loss for words as he watched Yoo Ji-woo's performance.

A 16-year-old Asian player.

With a small, slender frame compared to South American players, the coach had assumed he'd crumble under proper pressure.

But...

That wasn't the case.

Thud!

Despite his small physique, Ji-woo used his low center of gravity to endure physical challenges with intelligence and speed.

As the coach rubbed his chin in thought, the assistant coach spoke quietly while watching Ji-woo.

"His playstyle feels familiar, doesn't it?"

The "familiar" style referred to South American football.

Creative, unrestricted, and dazzling individual skills that created chances and led teams to victory—it was classic South American flair.

'To think our defense would crumble so easily against just one player.'

The defenders on the field weren't just any players—they were Argentinos Juniors' pride, nurtured over five years, and renowned as the future of the club among fans.

Yet, their decision-making was falling apart.

It was all because of one player—Yoo Ji-woo—who had single-handedly broken down the once impenetrable defensive wall.

Thud!

Flustered, their breathing quickened, and their focus narrowed, repeatedly losing track of Ji-woo.

"What are you doing out there, idiots?! Get your heads in the game! Don't back off; go in harder!"

They increased the number of defenders marking him. Two players became three.

But even then, they couldn't contain him.

'Why can't he just stay still?!'

Ji-woo wasn't standing still waiting for the ball. Whenever a defender got close, he'd move into open spaces, constantly evading their grasp.

Tap.

As Ji-woo received a pass and turned, one of the opposing central midfielders shouted.

"He doesn't pass! Surround him!"

With that, three defenders charged at him at once. But Ji-woo was specialized in tight-space dribbling.

Swoosh.

Swoosh.

With two slight head feints, Ji-woo assessed their movements and made a decision.

Pretending to turn left to draw them in, he swiftly pivoted right, causing one defender to lose his balance and stumble.

Tap.

He followed up by nutmegging another defender and circling around him, leaving the crowd in shock.

"No way! How is a kid like him pulling off plays like that?"

The Argentinos Juniors head coach could only deny the reality.

It wasn't that his team was weak—it was that the opponent was extraordinary.

Rip!

As the net bulged with another goal, Boca Juniors U-20 erupted in celebration, while the Argentinos Juniors bench fell into stunned silence.

"Sigh..."

"…Our scouts seriously dropped the ball. How did they miss someone like him?"

"Well, he does have a glaring weakness."

"Ah, you mean his lack of passing."

So far, Ji-woo had hardly passed the ball in the first half, except for back passes when his dribbling was blocked. He hadn't made any decisive passes.

That flaw should've made him easier to target. But instead, Ji-woo used this apparent weakness to disrupt the defense's balance, creating chances for other players with his playmaking abilities.

"A glaring flaw, yet he has more than enough individual skill to compensate. Boca brought a monster from Asia."

Both in the first half and the second, Ji-woo's relentless attacks continued.

Even as Argentinos Juniors tried to block his dribbling routes, Ji-woo calmly combined with Lautaro in one-two passes to bypass the pressure.

Tweet!

Frustrated, Argentinos Juniors U-20 resorted to fouls to stop him, but that was all they could do.

"When they all mark me, space opens up elsewhere. Pass the ball there."

At first glance, Ji-woo's frequent dribbling might've seemed selfish, but it wasn't.

He analyzed the field better than anyone else.

'If they focus on me, it creates opportunities for others.'

He didn't force plays unnecessarily. If he became the decoy, others could score the goals.

While he showcased explosive destruction on the wings, as a mezzala, he painted a broader picture of the game.

And this was only possible thanks to Lautaro Orbán.

"Got it."

Guillermo Darin soon added two more goals, widening the gap.

5-0.

By the 80th minute, the score difference had grown insurmountable.

Thud.

The Argentinos Juniors head coach sank to his knees.

"…Damn it."

The club had invested heavily in youth development, grooming their players to eventually restore the first team's place in the first division.

"…What the hell is this?"

But their dreams were shattered.

Blare!

By a young talent from Asia.

Rip!

And with that, the team crumbled.

In the final minutes, Ji-woo weaved through four defenders alone, scoring a solo goal that extinguished any remaining spirit in the Argentinos Juniors U-20 side.

"Ji-woo!"

"We came all the way here just to see you! Look over here!"

"Yoo Woo Woo Woo Woo!"

Ji-woo turned toward the roaring Boca Juniors fans, stretched out his arms, and stood still before them.

He looked like a statue of Christ the Redeemer.

The fans went wild.

"Where did that kid even come from?"

Argentinos Juniors fans were in shock.

Small physique.

Young age.

In the rough and physical world of South American football, his body didn't seem like it could survive.

Then, one spectator murmured while looking at Ji-woo's jersey number.

"Doesn't he remind you of someone?"

"Who?"

"Diego Maradona."

Watching Ji-woo, they were reminded of the god of football himself.

After the match with Argentinos Juniors, February and March passed by in the blink of an eye.

Including practice matches, they played a total of six games, and the results were flawless: all wins.

Five matches played, 15 goals scored.

Despite not making any decisive passes, recording zero assists, averaging three goals per match was an astonishing feat.

---

"You've been consistently performing well, which proves that the skills you showcased in the Mini Superclásico were not just a fluke."

The Boca Juniors U-20 staff were in awe of Yoo Ji-woo's performance as they reviewed his game footage.

As the video concluded, the man sitting at the head of the table smiled in satisfaction.

It was Boca Juniors' reserve team coach, Gabriel Milito.

"He's only sixteen years old, correct?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Let's promote him to the reserve team in July. With his skills, he's more than capable of contributing as an attacking option."

"Did the director approve this?"

"The director has given me the authority to make decisions regarding Yoo's promotion to the reserve team."

Boca Juniors' reserve team competes in the third division, Primera B Metropolitana.

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"…But there is a flaw."

One of the coaches noticed something peculiar as he watched the footage.

"What is it, Coach Delfín?"

The one who spoke was Delfín Bertoni, the senior assistant coach of the reserve team. At sixty years old, his extensive experience made him someone even Gabriel Milito wouldn't disregard.

"His pass frequency is low, and his dribbling frequency is high. In other words, he holds onto the ball for too long."

"..."

"That's the problem. Will this style still be effective in the higher leagues? Modern football prioritizes short ball possession and pass-oriented play."

"I've had similar concerns myself."

"Still, his other strengths make up for it. Promoting him to the reserve team and observing his adaptability would be wise. If he can integrate passing into his playstyle, he'll become an exceptional player."

Yoo Ji-woo alternated between playing as a right-wing forward and as a mezzala, showing stellar performances. Yet his tendency to avoid passing was flagged as a key weakness.

Even in critical situations, he often finished plays on his own, which gave off a certain sense of loneliness on the field.

---

Why does he play like that? He seems to play smart in other areas.

Other than the lack of passing, he excelled in various aspects:

Exceptional ball control

Perfect timing in supporting isolated teammates

Outstanding ability to find and exploit space, even under heavy pressure

His football instincts were exceptional.

But this issue had to be addressed. While his current individual abilities allowed him to dominate, it was uncertain how far they would carry him in the upper leagues.

Even the third division, despite being lower-tier, was a different world compared to the youth leagues.

---

This issue also weighed heavily on Rodolfo Finti's mind.

He had been aware of Yoo Ji-woo's "lack of passing" problem earlier than anyone else but still hadn't found a solution.

"How do I fix this…"

---

Addressing trauma is no simple task.

The details Yoo Han-woo had shared during the year-end party lingered in Rodolfo's mind.

A boy who struggles to trust others after being betrayed by those he once relied on.

That same sentiment was visible on the field.

Beneath his flair and brilliance was an unmistakable air of solitude.

But Rodolfo Finti wasn't fooled.

---

Knock, knock.

"Coach."

As Rodolfo was deep in thought, Daniel from the club's management team came to visit.

"Daniel, what brings you here?"

"I have something to discuss regarding Yoo Ji-woo."

"Yoo? What's going on?"

What Daniel said next left Rodolfo stunned.

"…Are you serious?"

---

"The coach wants to see me?"

While stretching before training, the fitness coach approached Yoo Ji-woo with this news.

"Head to the coach's office right away."

"Understood."

---

Walking toward the coach's office, Yoo Ji-woo couldn't help but wonder:

Why is he calling me?

Is it about trying out a new position?

While it seemed his position as a right-wing forward or mezzala was already settled, could it be that they wanted to experiment with him as a holding midfielder?

With various thoughts swirling in his head, he soon arrived at the coach's office.

Knock, knock.

"Come in."

Upon entering, he saw Daniel, the man who had guided him when he first joined the club, seated inside.

"It's been a while, Daniel."

"Good to see you, Yoo. Your performances have been incredible lately."

"Thank you."

After exchanging greetings, Yoo Ji-woo took a seat in front of the coach.

"So, why did you call for me?"

The coach's response left him doubting his ears.

"The South Korean Football Association has requested you to join their squad for the U-17 North and Central America World Cup."

---

"...The South Korean Football Association?"

"That's right. Earlier this morning, they officially requested the club to include you in the U-17 national team roster."

It was unexpected.

Why? Why me?

After everything they did to undermine me?

"What will you do? The club has decided to leave the choice up to you."

"What happens if I refuse the call-up?"

"There are no penalties. Since this isn't the senior national team, rejecting the request won't result in any sanctions."

The moment he heard this, there was no need for further deliberation. Yoo Ji-woo's answer was firm.

"I'm not going."

Just as he was starting to find his footing here, the idea of joining the national team felt like an unnecessary burden.

Especially when the squad was likely influenced by that vice president, there was no way he would agree.

"I have no intention of going. Not as long as that man remains in the association."